With the outbreak of COVID-19 in north western NSW, Warren Shire Council has congratulated the Warren community for its proactive response to testing, vaccination and compliance with the current Stay-at-Home order.

NSW Health figures to date show Warren Shire Local Government Area (LGA) has administered a total of

3,411 tests.

Warren Shire Mayor Milton Quigley said the local response to getting tested for COVID-19 has been encouraging to see and highlighted the collective spirit of the shire.

“The Warren Shire LGA has one of the highest testing rates in regional NSW, with 476 tests for every 1,000 residents, and we are also seeing a high number of people getting vaccinated," Mayor Quigley said.

"With our eligible population sitting at around 1,640 people, over 75 per cent of this group have had their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and over 30 per cent are now fully vaccinated.

"We should all be very proud the shire is among the top regional NSW Local Government Areas for vaccination rates."

According to Mayor Quigley, with testing and vaccinations a priority, Warren Shire Council is working closely with services to establish pop-up clinics to reach as many residents as possible.

A COVID-19 testing clinic has been set up at the Warren Multi-Purpose Health Service and is available

between 1pm – 2pm by appointment. To book phone 02 6847 5400.

The hospital's pop-up AstraZeneca vaccination clinic on Friday 20 August was initially fully booked although another nurse has since been secured to help with additional vaccinations.

Residents are encouraged to book these available appointments by phoning 02 6847 4326.

Rural and Remote Medical Services (RaRMS) Health Warren are also working to arrange additional dates for future vaccination clinics.

Warren Shire Council General Manager Gary Woodman said the evolving nature of the situation meant council and Health Services are continually adapting to deliver the best outcomes for local residents.

“Our priority is for the community to have access to testing and vaccinations which has meant we are working hard behind the scenes, such as the Warren Shire Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) preparing backup drive-through testing facilities," Mr Woodman said.

"NSW Health will also soon commence monitoring the Warren Sewerage for traces of the virus."

Mr Woodman welcomed the recently announced Australian Defence Force and Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) pop-up vaccination clinics, distributing both AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines, which will be in Warren on Monday 23 August and Tuesday 24 August.

Mr Woodman said a number of his council's services had been affected by current restrictions.

Under the restrictions, the following services are closed to the public: Warren Service NSW Agency; Warren Shire Office; Warren Shire Library; Warren Sporting and Cultural Centre; Warren Shire Depot; Playground equipment within our Parks and Gardens; and Warren Skate Park and Warren Splash Park.

The Warren Ewenmar Waste Depot, Warren Garbage Pickup, Warren Public Amenities (toilets) Outdoor Works Programs and Facilities Maintenance, and Council’s Health and Building team including ranger services, are continuing to operate.

For a list of how other Shire services across the Western Plains have been affected, click here.

In the wake of the regional stay-at-home orders also extending until at least 12.01 on Saturday 28 August, Mayor Quigley urged residents to continue working together to keep the shire safe.

“Currently the NSW Health website shows eight cases for Warren Shire LGA - I would like to reassure the community that we have been officially notified that these cases are not local cases as they pertain to people who have Warren as their address on their driver’s license but live elsewhere," he said.

“There are currently no cases of COVID-19 in the Warren Shire LGA - by continuing to follow the stay-at-home orders, social distancing, masking-up, getting tested no matter how mild the symptom, and booking a date to vaccinate, we will all do our part to keep all members of the Warren Shire community safe and healthy."